Here is Chapter 7:

Finally!

I've actually been watching Naruto Uzumaki for quite some time now, in fact it's been since Sasuke and I become friends.

I haven't told Sasuke and I doubt I will but, when I watch Naruto he gives me strength, it's crazy but the truth is I've watched how all the villager's, the older ones and even the kids look at Naruto with hate in their eyes. I've watched how Naruto tries talking to them but they all give him their back. Then Naruto becomes sad and disappointed, he doesn't understand their hate towards him, nor do I, then I'd look at him again and his small face would become hard with anger and hate. Each time I saw this expression on his face my heart would ache for him, I'd feel this pain take over my body then a need to cry, hold Naruto and tell him that everything would be fine that I'm here for him would take over. But, I always resisted I'm not sure if it was from fear or rejection, I just never understand my own feelings.

I've often asked the Third about their hate towards him.

"I just don't get it Hokage, why does the whole village hate him? I know he's a trouble maker, a loud mouth, a dork but just because of that, it can't be it, can it?" I ask him as I put down the scroll he gave me to study. I look over at him, as he sits next to me smoking the ever existing pipe in his mouth; I see some smoke come out of his mouth as he blows it in the opposite direction I'm in. I could see as he is thinking over his response, he looks so serious but I also see sadness like he failed at something and he regrets it.

"They just can't forget the past," he tells me slowly he doesn't look over at me as he talks he looks out in front of him looking a bit lost. "They hate him for all the wrong reasons. If they only got to know him they all would know not to fear him or hate him, I'm sure they would all love and respect him. All he really needs is a couple of friends." He then turns to looks at me, I just look right back at him waiting for him to explain further but, he keeps staring at me, growing irritated by the silence. Then I finally get what he was trying to say my mouth falls open and it stays open shaped like an "O", he then smiles at me as he leans back on the tree letting the smoke out of a side of his mouth, I get up and start pacing in front of him.

"You want Sasuke and me to become Naruto's friends?" I say it slowly, out loud even though I didn't mean to say it out loud. He just nods at me crossing his arms behind his head. "Sasuke would never go for it." I tell him shaking my head and biting my nails getting a bit nervous at the idea. Well I have kind of thought about it but, to actually hear someone else say it is something totally, different if not crazy.

I remember back when I first met Sasuke at the party, I remember my whole body becoming warm, it was like I finally found the warmth I've been missing out on, also like my soul came alive after being asleep for so long. That's how I feel when I see Naruto.

Just the thought of Naruto gives me new strength; I believe in myself more and believe I could really defeat Itachi when the time comes.

I also feel this need to be there for him like he needs me. But that's ridiculous why would he need me? Every time I see him I blush, I can't even work up the nerve to talk to him. With everyone else I'm fine; I mean I even talk to Shino, who is the quietest kid in class.

I stop pacing and look over at the Hokage who is walking over to stand in front of me; I stay quiet waiting for him to talk once more.

"Who cares what your boyfriend thinks! Go by yourself and talk to Naruto who knows and it might even make him jealous," he says to me as he nudges me with his shoulder. I stare at him speechless; I feel my face turn bright red.

"H-Hokage! Sa-Sasuke and I-I a-aren't…I-I mean we a-aren't…I-I don't…t-that is h-he doesn't…w-we can't…h-he see's m-me like…I-I c-can't i-imagine…t-that is…" I could've continued but, thank goodness Sasuke arrived with the food. He turns to look at me, confused; I turn redder as I look at the ground fiddling with my fingers.

"What did you do to Hinata, old man?" Sasuke asks the Third as he walks closer to us looking irritated.

"Nothing I was just telling your girlfriend-"but I didn't let him continue because, I put my hands over his mouth.

"Hokage, please! We're only eight a-and I-I d-don't s-s-see S-Sasuke l-like t-that!" I tell him. I turn to look at Sasuke and he's blushing, he's almost as red as me and he's not looking at me but at a tree in the opposite direction I'm in.

"Old geezer, let's get some things straight, I don't see Hinata like that! She's a dork, who has to train a lot more, not to mention a loser and she's like a sister to me." He tells the Third with a deep red blush all over his face and he still isn't looking at me. I remove my hand off the Hokage's mouth and give Sasuke all my attention.

"Hey! That was uncalled for! I'm getting better. Plus I 'm not a complete loser, I'll admit I'm a dork at times. I don't know why you always have to point that out," I say to him with my blush completely gone. "Plus respect Lord Hokage he isn't that old," I lie.

"He is, plus why should I respect him, if he doesn't respect us."

"He does, if he didn't he wouldn't be training us. He's a great ninja plus he's the Hokage," I state the obvious. "You should be grateful that he takes time in his busy schedule to help us." Sasuke just stands before me, staring at me, then he gives me his back and makes his way to the shed, I watch his back I could see it's tense with anger. I look over at the Hokage and he too is watching Sasuke's back then he turns to look at me and I bow at him.

"He doesn't know what he's saying my Lord," I say to him as I get up. "I know he really does respect you and is thankful, just like I' am. He's just difficult he doesn't like to owe anyone and he owes you a lot." The Third just nods, I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze as I look up at him and smile, he smile's down at me. I keep hold of his hand as I walk him over to the shed.

"Hokage?" I whisper, he looks down at me.

"Yes?"

"I'll think about what you asked of me, with Naruto, I'll try," I whisper once more as we near the shed. He nods at me as his smile becomes wider.

"Hinata, the guy you chose to love will be the luckiest man," he says to me as we enter the shed, I smile my thanks then look at the ground not wanting to look at Sasuke.

I still haven't worked up the courage to talk to him. The Third hasn't asked me if I've spoken to him yet and it's been three months since we had the conversation. He still comes once a week to help us, Sasuke complains about the Hokage only coming once a week but, he knows he's busy, what with running a whole village, who wouldn't be?
Some day's I even skip training to follow Naruto around, of course, without him knowing. Kind of like a stalker, actually now that I think about it, I' am his stalker! I feel my face and ears grow hot.

Sasuke hasn't asked me what I've been doing, he's either not interested, doesn't care, or is too proud to ask me, it could be either one.

Of course even if he'd ask me, I wouldn't tell him.

I watch as Naruto enters Ichiraku Ramen and takes his usual seat in the middle. I stand behind a tree watching Naruto talk to the owner.

"Yo, Hinata what are you doing?" Shikamaru asks me. I feel my face heat up; I stand there completely still not wanting to look at my classmate. I slowly turn around behind me to look at Shikamaru's curios expression, instead of his sleepy one.

"Sh-Shikamaru w-what a s-surprise," I whisper.

"You didn't answer me, Hinata," he says to me with a sly smile on his lips.

"I-I was just…t-that is…I-I' am waiting…I'm stalking…" then I put my hand over my mouth, my eyes growing wider looking at him, then I feel my face get even hotter. I put my other hand on my forehead, slapping myself.

Idiot, your such an idiot, now what is he going to think? I ask myself in my head.

I watch him as I remove my hand over my mouth; he looks at me with a new interest shinning in his now fully awake eyes.

"Stalking, really? Wait until I tell the guys," I grab onto his arm.

"Please d-don't tell an-anyone!" I say to him feeling my face growing pale.

"I don't know Hinata, it's really too interesting, not to say anything. Plus I wonder what your boyfriend is going to do when he finds out you stalking-"then he looks over the tree towards Ichiraku Ramen to see then he looks completely and utterly surprised. "Naruto?!" he yells looking at me like I'm crazy. I look over to see if Naruto heard us because he yelled so loud, but think twice about it and pull Shikamaru down with me. I pull on his sleeve so he could crawl away with me. When we are safely behind a bush I drag him up so he could walk with me.

When we're a good ten feet away I stop, let go of him and face him. He still looks shocked; he looks at me, confused.

"Naruto?" he asks me quite loud, "Naruto? You were stalking Naruto?"

"It's not what you think," I tell him

"I should probably lie down," he says to me as he lies on the ground, looking up at the cloudless sky.

I look around, waiting to see Chouji close by but, he isn't anywhere.

"Hey where's Chouji?" I ask him.

"He wanted to go home early because his mom is cooking his favorite, tonight," he says to me as he rests his arm over his eye, he stays quiet for a while lost in his own thoughts or he's probably asleep already. I was about to leave but, he suddenly removes his arm to look at me. "So your stalking Naruto, why him?"

I sit next to him as I play with my finger's looking at the grass and not him.

"As I said before it's not what you think. I just…I can't really explain it," I tell him quiet lamely.

"It's okay. I understand if you don't want to," he says to me looking up at the sky. "Does this mean you and Sasuke aren't together anymore?" he asks me.

"It was never like that. We are just friends," I tell him.

"So you guys are always together because your friends? You two always disappear together because you are friends, he walks you home everyday doesn't he?" he asks me as he looks over at me, I look at him.

"How do you know he walks me home everyday?" I ask him genuinely interested in what he has to say.

"I always see you two together walking towards your home, that's all," he says, I just nod looking at him and not believing what he just said.

"So does it mean you and Chouji are together because you two are always hanging out together?" I ask him with a wide smile on my lips.

"Urr…it's not like that you dork! I don't like him like you like Sasuke!" he says to me totally irritated, how is that I make everyone irritated with me?

"I know I'm just teasing you. Plus I don't love Sasuke, he is just a friend. I mean, I know all the girls love him because of his 'good looks' and what not. But, I don't see him like that. I really don't, I think I might be the only girl that could say that," I tell him with a laugh, but then I grow serious. "I do love Sasuke but like a brother and friend. He could be mean, rude, uncaring, doesn't think about my feelings, never says thank you, and all that. But he's a cool guy, he defends me from his crazy fan girls, he listens to what I say, tells me thing's he'd never tell anyone but most of all he trusts me, and I trust him. I'd die to protect him." I say to Shikamaru, he stays quiet as he watches me then he tells me.

"Then why are you watching Naruto?"

"It's crazy but when I watch Naruto I feel inspired, stronger, braver, invincible I just get this strength from him. He doesn't care what anyone thinks about him he continues to try his hardest; he never gives up even though he sucks. He really does believe he'll become Hokage and I believe him too," I say finding myself smiling at the sky.

"It still doesn't take away the fact that he sucks a complete loser, loudmouth, idiot and ramen lover."

"Yeah, I know," I keep on smiling.

"Why don't you talk to him, then?" my smile disappears and my blush returns.

"I'm too shy," I whisper.

"You are but, you just told me all this," he tells me.

"Yeah, I know but your different, I'm too shy to actually talk to Naruto but, one of these day's I'll find the courage to actually talk to him," I get up suddenly. "I should go, I'm supposed to me Sasuke, I'll see you at school tomorrow," I wave good-bye to him as I run out of the forest towards Sasuke's apartment he told me to met him there.

As I run I bump into someone and fall on my butt. I look up to see who it is and it's Naruto. He smiles down at me, scratching the back of his head with his eyes closed.

"Sorry-"he says as he opens his eyes to look down at me. "Hey your Sasuke's girlfriend, what's your name?" He asks himself as he scratches the side of his head now, with his eyes closed once more.

"H-Hinata," I whisper but, I guess he didn't hear me. I blush as I get up. "I'm Hinata," I say to him, louder this time. He opens his eyes and looks down at my outstretched arm. "I-I've never introduced m-myself to y-you Naruto. I-I'm Hinata Hyuga, it's a-a p-pleasure to m-meet you." I say to him looking at me surprised. It's almost as if no one has ever extended their hand out to him. He looks at my hand a bit too long. I smile at him as he looks at me surprised but pleased. Then he slowly stretches out his own hand to me, it's as if he's scared he'll scare me off. Once he holds on to my hand he grabs it tight.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he says to me with a broad smile on his lips.

"I know," I smile at him with a slight blush creeping up on my cheeks. "I-I'm not Sasuke's girlfriend, we are j-just f-friends, like I hope we could be?" I ask him. He looks up at me uncertain like, he thinks I'm joking with him, he suddenly let's go of my hand and looks at me with hate.

"Liar, no one wants to be my friend, everyone here hates me."

"I don't! I like you!" I say to him feeling my face grow really hot. "I think you are brave. You don't care what anyone thinks about you, you believe in yourself," I say to Naruto.

"Yeah and I'll become Hokage one day!" he yells out, I look at him in the eyes and smile.

"I know, I believe in you Naruto. You will become Hokage one day."

"Do you really?" he asks me but, then his expression turns serious. "You're a liar, I bet you, the jerk; your boyfriend put you up to this! Where is he, so I could beat him?" He asks me as he looks all around searching for Sasuke.

"He isn't here but, Sasuke is mean but, he'd never ask me to do this to you! Naruto when I see you give me strength and you make me believe in myself."

"I do?" he asks me with a sheepish expression on his face, I nod.

"Do you want to be my friend, Naruto?" I ask him, I could see he looks a bit confused and not sure what to answer. I reach to touch his shoulder; he looks down at my hand on it. "You don't have to tell me now, if you want I'll meet you at the ramen place you always to after school? That way we'll get to know each other better, yes?" I ask him because; I know it's a lot to take in.

"Okay."

"I'll see you at school tomorrow, bye, Naruto." I wave good-bye to him, as I leave heading over to Sasuke's apartment wondering if he's still there waiting for me.

I know Sasuke better then that so I head over to our training grounds knowing Sasuke will get angry at me for being so late. I start to go over excuses in my head trying to come up with one Sasuke will believe.

But I smile, as I think back to my very first conversation with Naruto. I can't wait until tomorrow after school.

Why is she so damn freaking late? Where the hell is she? I ask myself as I pace around in the grass. I look at the grass wondering why she isn't here yet.

Why was I stupid enough to actually wait for her here? She probably won't even come. Now that I actually think about it why should I wait for her? I go into the shed to grab my stuff and leave.

As I come out of the shed with my stuff in hand, I look up to find myself face to face with the Hokage; I just stare up at him waiting for him to talk.

"Where is Hinata?"

"I don't know she never showed. Did you come here to teach me or ask questions?" he smiles down at me then puts a hand on hair and messes it up. He takes out the pipe in his mouth and throws the contents on the dirt ground. He puts the pipe in a pocket, and then he walks over to a tree and sits down. I just stand where I' am, watching him.

"Actually I came to talk with you alone with out Hinata," I'm interested in what he has to say so I walk over to him and sit in front of him, waiting.

"How have you been lately Sasuke?"

"Okay."

"Good, I never talked to you or Hinata about the incident did I?" I look at him. Everyone calls the massacre of my clan "the incident," they think it might affect me if they call it a massacre. They are all stupid to think I'm that weak.

What they don't know is that I think about it everyday. I think about the smells of burning flesh, building's on fire, smoke, blood and something's you can't smell but feel. I recall the air heavy with death, it was filled with it, I felt suffocated, the air also felt warm with the heat of one man's killing spree, I could feel the metal of swords clashing, but I try to move past it like I' am right now. I look up at the Hokage and nod, not wanting to say anything.

"If we would've had any information on the matter all of the shinobi of this village would've gotten together to stop it. We would've put our heart and soul into it defending our fellow villagers. What I'm trying to say is I'm sorry Sasuke, I'm sorry for not making it in time, not being able to do anything to stop it." He says to me in a sad voice and he looks a bit defeated, not knowing what to say I just nod.

"I also know why you want to become more powerful," he says to me his eyes showing all the knowledge I wish I had. "You want to kill your brother, Itachi. I've known it from the beginning."

"Then why have you been helping me train?" I ask irritated that he knew and I didn't pick up on it.

"I wish I could tell you not to do it but, if I was in your shoes, I too would want my revenge. I want you to know something, there's more to life then seeking revenge, you should want to make a new beginning and seek happiness, I 'm sure that's what your mom and dad would've wanted. Who cares what your brother told you. You should want to live your life like your parents would've wanted not what you brother wants you to do. He wants you to come down to his level, he wants to bring you down with him, can you not see it?"

"I'm sure my parents and whole clan would've wanted me to get revenge on their behalf," I say my anger coming out in my voice. "Do you honestly think I could live with myself without doing anything and living my life like nothing happened? That night, my brother showed me how he killed each and every member of the Uchiha's and not me. How could you tell me there is more to life then seeking revenge, that's all I live for now."

"I see, what about Hinata?"

"What about her?" I ask him, not wanting to touch the subject.

"Are you okay knowing she will risk her life for you, that she is willing to die for you and you are debating with yourself whether or not to kill her just to obtain the Mangekyou Sharingan just like your brother?" he asks me his voice showing the disgust he feels.

"It's none of your business."

"It is when it concerns one of my Shinobi it is my personal business Sasuke." I stay quiet not wanting to go on with this useless conversation.

"I'm getting bored old man," I say to him as I get up to leave.

"You do understand that if you kill Hinata, you are no better then your brother," he says to me and I stop walking but not turning around to face him because, I have been thinking the same thing but I sure as hell won't say anything to him. "Would you really be okay? Could you live with yourself killing her?" I don't say anything because I still don't have the answers to those questions. "You know why she too is training hard, and it's not because she wants to become the rightful heiress to the Hyuga clan, there is another reason, isn't there?"

"She trains to become the heiress, that's all."

"You shouldn't lie Sasuke, she's training to help you when you face Itachi, isn't that so?"

"And if it is?"

"I just want to say that if there is anyone who deserves to live a long life it's Hinata, that's all." I don't say anything else as I walk away feeling worn out.

About ten minutes later I run into Hinata, literally. Well it was more along the lines of her running into me as I was walking she fell to the ground on her back and she just lays there looking up at the evening sky.

"Get up," I tell her irritated with her and the Hokage.

"I kind of like it down here, lay down with me," she says as she smiles up at me but I continue to walk until I feel her hand on my ankle, I look back at her to find her still on her back her hand over her head holding onto my ankle. "Please?" I sigh and go sit next to her as I leaning against my arms not wanting to lie down.

"I'm sorry for being so late," she says to me as she looks up at the sky.

"It's not like I was waiting for you, I came here to train."

"I know that but, I'm still sorry."

"Why didn't you come earlier?" I ask her against my will.

"Oh, I ran into Shikamaru he was alone without Chouji so he started talking to me and I kind of felt bad for him, you know being all alone then he fell asleep and I left to get here as fast as I could." I don't respond as I look up at the sky to see that you could see every single star in the night sky tonight.

We just stay here not saying anything or looking at each other just up at the night sky. Until I ruin it with my anger.

"I'm leaving," I tell her as I get up to leave, I look back at her and she is still on the ground looking up at the stars. "Are you coming?"

"No, it's okay, I want to stay a bit longer, I'll see you tomorrow at the Academy," she says to me without looking back at me. I wonder to myself if I should stay but, I'm not in the mood for company tonight, so I leave without saying bye.

So many things are on my mind and it's all because of the Hokage actually no, I've been having these thoughts since the massacre. But, I don't want to think of them anymore so I just make my way to my apartment with my mind a complete blank.

I told Sasuke that I'll go to the training grounds later because, my father needed to speak to me, I hate lying to him but, its better then the truth. I told Naruto that I'd meet him at the ramen place. I smile because today he smiled at me in class and said hi to me. Sasuke just looked at him like he was crazy.

"What does he think he's doing?" he asked me quite angry.

"He's just saying hi, all the other kids say hi to me so what does it matter?" I ask him.

"He's never told you hi, before so why now?"

"Who knows but, he seems like an okay guy don't you think?"

"No," is all he said. He didn't say anything more but I saw him look at Naruto a few times looking angry but then again what's new?

I walk into Ichiraku Ramen and there is Naruto already sitting down and eating, I smile at his back as I walk over to him and sit next to him.

"Hi," I say to him and he smiles at me with his mouth full of ramen and pork. After a couple of more bowls of ramen, Naruto finally started talking to me.

Naruto is one of the only kids I know that is willing to tell you everything he feels, that's one of the things I like about him. I got to know him better, I got to know the real Naruto and to tell the truth the real Naruto is better then the one he shows the village. Little by little we get to know each other better he still hasn't told me if he is my friend but, I consider him mine, even if he doesn't consider me his.

As the months go by Hinata goes to hang out with Naruto once a weekof course she never goes on the same day's she changes them around so Sasuke won't suspect. It's not that she wants to keep her friendship a secret from Sasuke but she feels it isn't the correct time to tell him that she has a new friend that isn't him. Actually Naruto sits next to Hinata in the Academy now, and they talk in class, sometimes she feels as if she's neglecting Sasuke. So that's why she's decided to come clean with Sasuke because she doesn't like being pulled in one direction then the other. She truly believes Naruto and Sasuke could become great friends with lots and lots of time and the same amount of patience that is what it's going to take. So that's why today is finally the day she tells Sasuke about Naruto they are either going to get along or they could say good-bye to her!

Could it be the end of this friendship? You'll have to wait to find out in the next chapter of Just a Thought, thanks!